Washington Capitals General Manager Chris Patrick expressed his excitement about the performance of the team's prospects at the 2025 Development Camp, which concluded on Saturday. The camp, held from July 1st to July 5th at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, featured a roster headlined by promising talents like Andrew Cristall, Cole Hutson, and Lynden Lakovic.
The annual week-long summer session is designed to help Capitals prospects improve their skills and learn from the organization's coaches and staff through on- and off-ice workouts. Attendees included contracted Capitals prospects, recent draft picks who have yet to be signed, and several undrafted and free-agent amateur players. All five of the Capitals' 2025 NHL Draft selections were present: Lynden Lakovic, Milton Gastrin, Maxim Schafer, Jackson Crowder, and Aron Dahlqvist.
The camp featured a variety of activities, including on-ice skill development sessions and small area games for local youth hockey players aged 6-12. A 3-on-3 tournament concluded the camp on Saturday. Team Red, captained by Ryan Chesley and coached by former prospect Benton Maass, won the Future Caps Cup. The team included Cole Hutson, Petr Sikora, Eriks Mateiko, Seamus Powell, and Chase Anderson. Hutson led the charge, scoring multiple goals. Ryan Chesley scored a decisive goal in the final game.
Other players who stood out included Ludwig Persson, who displayed leadership and good vision, and Terik Parascak, who utilized his speed and hockey IQ effectively. Alexander Suzdalev led the youngest team, Gray, which consisted of Lynden Lakovic, Milton Gästrin and Maxim Schäfer.
Several attendees had prior experience with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, including Ryan Chesley, Cole Hutson, Nicholas Kempf, and Seamus Powell. Hutson and Kempf were teammates on the U-18 team in 2023-24. Chesley and Powell won a silver medal alongside Caps prospect Ryan Leonard at the 2022 IIHF U-18 World Championship. Six development camp attendees represented their countries at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.
The Capitals' newest editions, including first-round pick Lynden Lakovic, also participated in the camp. Lakovic led Moose Jaw in goals, points, and shots on goal. Terik Parascak, who played with the Prince George Cougars (WHL), recorded 82 points in 59 regular-season games.
